Simplified: Several community members and organizations have come together to host a funeral for the infant who was found at the Sioux Falls recycling center. They've also given the child a name – Gabriel James Doe.
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Sioux Falls police responded to Millennium Recycling on Aug. 6 where a baby boy was found dead.
The case is still under investigation with no updates to share at this point, according to police spokesman Sam Clemens, but the child's remains were released from the coroner's office to Miller Funeral Home.
- The funeral home has a long-standing practice of offering funeral services for children at no charge, Director Matthew Koball said.
"It's just the right thing to do," Koball said.
Koball then reached out to Travis and Jessica Remme, a local couple who runs the Oaklyn Foundation, a group that supports families through the loss of a child.
- The Remmes started the foundation in memory of their daughter, Oaklyn, who died shortly after her birth in January 2018.
- That experience also led Travis Remme to become a pastor, and he will also be one of three officiants of Baby Gabriel James' funeral service.
Several others also stepped forward to offer help, including the Angel Lee Cronin Fund, volunteers from Avera McKennan, the Flower Mill and Leifstyle Baking.
"It's just been really awesome to see an immediate and generous outpouring of love for this little one," Koball said.
What will this service mean for the community?
It's an opportunity to find some sense of closure in what's been a very public tragedy, Travis Remme said.
- He also sees the funeral and Baby Gabriel's story as an important reminder that every person matters.
"Everybody matters to God, and nobody's left behind," he said. "Gabriel is surely in his loving arms."
The funeral will also give a chance for those who responded to the tragedy to pay their respects – including the people at Millennium Recycling, where the infant was initially found.
Shannon Dwire, president of Millennium Recycling, said the support of the community has been remarkable.
- She also hopes – in addition to the community banding together for the funeral – that the tragedy of Baby Gabriel's death brings a heightened awareness to the state's Safe Haven laws.
"People in crisis have options," Dwire said. "We support the potential of a Safe Haven Baby Box program and hope that is brought to our state. It is important that more people are aware of these resources. We appreciate the unity and support shown and truly hope it leads to meaningful changes and the expansion of resources to prevent similar tragedies in the future."
How was the baby named?
Travis Remme said his wife received a call over the weekend from Miller Funeral Home asking not only for Remme to preside over the service, but also for a unique type of support for the funeral: a name for the baby.
The couple decided on Gabriel James.
- Gabriel was chosen not only after the archangel but also because it means "God is my strength," Remme said.
- James means "the one who follows," he added.
"This child, although he was on earth a very short period of time and maybe didn't feel a lot of love in that moment, he left a lasting impact," Remme said. "He has a legacy that will live on for a very long time now, and I think that's just really amazing to be a part of."
When is the service?
The funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Miller Southside Chapel at 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue.
- A burial will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery.
The public is invited to attend, and for those who are unable to be there, the service will also be streamed live on YouTube.
